@hbarudi you can actually beat the game without using the escape wings ever! It is quite difficult (I have only been able to do it once), but it goes to show that you do not need to grind.
very awesome game. it has lots of potential, but could use major improvements like better (and more variety of) hats, more classes (or more customization of the classes), more interactivity (like maybe some direct unit control), and a song that's longer than 10 seconds :D